Oakland, CA – A Case Study Using Acupuncture and Herbs for a Child with Autism

Parents with children on the autism spectrum are looking for any possible help to ease their child’s path at home, in school, and in social situations. Many people don’t know that acupuncture and herbal medicine can be of help in alleviating some of the typical symptoms of autism such as speech delay, anger and frustration, difficulty with attention, anxiety, hypersensitivity, and other concerns.

Current evidence indicates that autism is linked with inflammation in the brain. While I always recommend a multi-faceted approach for supporting children with autism, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine help by reducing inflammation and calming the nervous system.

Over the last several years I have worked with a young girl named Cora who was diagnosed with autism. She had a significant speech delay, hypersensitivity to touch and noise, and behavioral concerns including anger, frustration, anxiety, and moodiness. I saw Cora once every 3-4 weeks for several months for acupuncture treatments and provided Chinese herbal formulas that she took daily for over a year. Additionally, I advised Cora’s parents to remove dairy and gluten from her diet, since they can contribute to neuroinflammation.

Within the first few acupuncture sessions, Cora’s moods improved noticeably – they fluctuated less and her outbursts were less frequent and less intense. Her speech began to accelerate as well, with new words coming and existing words becoming more understandable. Over time we also worked on some digestive irregularities.

I kept in touch with Cora’s parents as I prescribed new herbal formulas every month or two. Her improvements kept coming, including improvements with speech, school, moods, and sensitivities. She came back for acupuncture after a year off from treatment and could answer questions, receive acupuncture treatment on all parts of her body (unlike previously due to touch sensitivities), and her parents reported that her moods were generally even, her digestive problems had resolved, and her teachers at school were very impressed with her work.

Every child with autism is different and will need a different amount of time to make progress based on their individual needs and the other therapies they are using. However, acupuncture and herbal medicine can be a significant asset in helping children adapt to school and social life with autism.